Languages of Art

work by Goodman

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June 30, 2026

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Nelson Goodman's Languages of Art (1968) presents a systematic theory of art, viewing it through the lens of symbolism and a general theory of signs. Goodman's approach is rooted in nominalism, suggesting that words are labels attached to things, and the meaning of a sign is inherent to the artistic practice that creates it.1

He proposes that representation is a form of denotation, where a symbol labels an individual, and a predicate labels multiple things. Expression, in Goodman's view, is a special case of reference called exemplification, where a predicate is exemplified metaphorically. While his theory offers a framework for understanding art as symbolic, it can be complex and may not always provide a clear procedure for interpreting specific works. The philosophy of art, distinct from art criticism, aims to provide conceptual foundations by examining core concepts like art, aesthetic value, and expression.12

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aesthetics
Symbolism in art
His Languages of Art (1968) was the first work of analytical philosophy to produce a distinct and systematic theory of art. Goodman’s theory has attracted considerable attention, the more so in that it is an extension of a general philosophical perspective, expounded in works of great…
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His Languages of Art (1968) was the first work of analytical philosophy to produce a distinct and systematic theory of art. Goodman’s theory has attracted considerable attention, the more so in that it is an extension of a general philosophical perspective, expounded in works of great…
Read More